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Ken y tina, you're absolutely correct. My apologies. I guess that on the four occassions we persevered going to El limonera/ Lolita I was disappointed. But , I agree we are all entitled to our personal opinions. Best regards. Keith

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Good to see Sergio has returned to his old place opposite El Choco. Opened yesterday, we wish him all the best.

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That's good news.

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Great news 💃🏻

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Great news, we also wish him all the best

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We stopped by the restaurant
Convivio Dos Cavaleiros.

On the N2 heading to Faro airport, just after the Auction house, passed it lots of times as many have, and it always has lots of cars parked outside along the roadside.

We got there 12am as it opened, already 9 tables occupied, no menu:
Red/white wine
Sangria
Water/juice to drink

Lamb
Mixed fish
Mixed meat
All come with salad potatoes, with the usual bread olives butter and fish paste on the table.

We were asked twice if we wanted more food!!, then pudding time, 3 choices, coffee to finish off.

To say it was busy is an understatement, it was full by 12.50, must have at least 50 covers.

All family run, great service lovely food, we had the Roasted Lamb, we had a flight to catch so didn’t really get the best from our visit but will be going back, 3 of us €25?, seems too cheap but that’s what we paid.

Ken.

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During the last weeks, we have been to the Ribera, next to Vintage, by the taxi rank.
Great place.
Excellent food. Excellent service:very friendly, professional and English speaking. The prices are very reasonable.
Highly recommended!...

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Ah yes, I was sat outside the vintage back in October with my usual goldfish bowl of G & T as I watched the member of staff of the Ribera carving jamon outside non-stop. I will give it a go when we are back in February - my question is - What's it like inside ??? I seem to recall they did a load of building work on the premises last year. plus what's the winter menu consist of?

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Inside it is nice, very Andalusian. I do not know if they changed something or kept it as before.
The menu is wide with pork, chicken, beef, fish, salads, tortillas, etc... Very large choice!
My preferred dish: carrillera a la naranja (pork cheak with orange sauce).
Regards. JM.

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Mmmmmm Carrillada de Cerdo, used to make that a lot when we lived in CE, delicious. Hi JM hope you are well, abrazos y besos, Bryony xx

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Hi

Whilst driving around we saw new signs for a new resto in VRSA. Well we haven't see the signs before.

I drove past it to check it out, looks like a snack bar. And I didn't see the Revolution sign on the door either. But I was curious as I saw 2 signs - one in English saying 'the best meat in the world!' Gotta check that baby out :)

As we just arrived its not for us (at the moment) .... but.... it seems to make wonderful burgers - chicken salads (as per photos) etc. I only use FB for menus, but there they have 3 great reviews... but they could be from friends.

It seems to me to be a new resto - with a potential. After a few weeks of local food we often hanker for a (e.g) Sunday lunch, curry, brekkie or burger. So will check it out later.

If anyone goes as a result of this - please let us know your thoughts

Jon
restaurante revolution - Restaurante em Vila Real de Santo António

As you come into VRSA after crossing the railway line, head towards the LIDL roundabout. About 20m before the roundabout, the last road before, turn right. Its the snack bar looking place (about 20-30m more) on the left - on the corner of the first road left.

Also from Pingo Doce, its the last road on the left before the roundabout. Then first right - first left - at the end

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Have you been for the lunches at the Catering College in VRSA. This is fine dining. It was €15 but I think it may have gone up to €17. 4 courses coffee and wine included. You have to book. I think there could be one next Wednesday.

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Thanks Olivia good idea, I didn't know this.

Do you have any contact info / webpage, please?

I googled and got the tourism school, that also does training for hotel positions... Perhaps that includes catering.

Thanks again

Jon

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I went with a friend and I think you have the right place it is right at the top end of the main Street walking away from the marina. It is a large building on your right painted blue and white from recollection. Besides the fabulous food it is interesting to see the students in training. I think you can book in the office at the entrance which is always open. I have sent an email to my friend for contact details and will forward when I have a reply.

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I have an email to forward. But have no idea how to put it in this box.
If you will send me your email I will forward it.

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Hi Olivia thanks for all your help. I've pm'd you.

Jon

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I have sent it 4 times OR not at All!!!

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A big thank you to Olivia for the details below for the catering school dinners. This is fine dining where you are served by students who are looking to make in thus industry
Jon

PS Mods I include contact details as this is an organisation as opposed to an individual

19-Fevereiro - Segunda-feira (monday )- 13h
21-Fevereiro - Quarta-feira ( wednesday )- 13h
27-Fevereiro - Terça-feira- ( tuesday ) - 13h

05-Março - Segunda-feira ( monday ) -13h
07-Março - Quarta-feira ( wednesday ) - 13h
13-Março - Terça-feira ( tuesday ) -13h
15-Março - Quinta-feira ( thursday ) - 13h
19-Março - Segunda-feira ( monday ) - 13h
21-Março - Quarta-feira ( wednesday ) - 13h

03-Abril - Terça-feira ( tuesday ) - 13h
05-Abril - Quinta-feira ( thursday ) - 13h
09-Abril - Segunda-feira (monday ) -13h
11-Abril - Quarta-feira ( wednesday ) -13h
19-Abril - Quinta-feira ( thursday ) - 13h
23-Abril - Segunda-feira ( monday ) - 13h
27-Abril - Sexta-feira ( friday ) - 13h

If you want to make any reservations you can do it by phone our email that you have in the end of this email.

Telling us your name,phone,email,the day(s) that you wish to lunch with us at 13hrs (17.50€) and how many persons.
Thanks.

Best regards.

EHT Vila Real de Santo António
address: Rua Teófilo Braga
8900-303 Vila Real de Santo António
phone: +351 281 001 110
mail: [email protected]

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The resto in MF jokingly referred to as 'The Bordello' has rooms to rent - properly - now! :).... and (I'm sure) have been totally cleaned up!

https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/gue...-beira.es.html

Note Closed Tuesday. Mon-Sat all in menu 8Euro. Wonderful Salmon on Saturday for 1Eur more. Sunday all-in menu a bit more. A la carte too.

Note the Women's day event at the place at the bottom of the road, in the useful info thread.

Jon

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I would just like to say how good we found the Chinese resto in Ayamonte this time. They seem to have settled down and found regular diners. The Spanish waiter seems to work hard at pleasing everyone and getting lots of Spanish through the door. The menu del dia at only 7.50 incl wine seemed very good. Choice of hot soup with shredded chicken OR spring rolls. main course of chicken or beef, followed by coffee or a desert. Bargain compared to UK. We also tried the two for 22 euro menu last saturday. Wine extra - again good quality, plus a dim sum course. Much better than when they first opened roughly a year (or more) ago.

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We tried a new resto in Castro Marim. O Forte.

A la carte, several dishes of the day €8.50, & all-you-can-eat buffet €10 weekdays €15 weekend (with greater choice). One of the best house wines IMO only €4.50 litre €3.50 half. Luckily I wasn't driving :) Monthly Fado nights €20, on FB apparently.

Its best to go for the buffet IMO.This includes all the dishes of the day.You will see the list on the sandwich board at the entrance. Starters included quiche, salads, ham, salami, polvo, mackerel etc etc. But you have to ask for the main courses, as they cook to order (for most of them thankfully)..... I had steak, BH had a Dorada. There was even a cataplana for that price! Deserts included, we had a fresh mango, but there were baked apples/pears, cakes, chocolate mousse etc etc.

Go to CM after the big roundabout take the left turn towards Corvo. After about 50m there is a small door on the left. Go in and its far bigger than expected. At the back, is another area that will be more of a snack-burger place, and a room upstairs for events.The back is another door leading to the street behind.

A nice place to have 'on the list' for a noshup! Not fine dining at all but worth a go very attentive staff & French speaking boss.

Jon

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My kids rave about the Scottish restaurant in Ayamonte.
The reckon the Gran Hamburguesa y patatas fritas is the best Spanish meal
they have ever had.
Bless em!

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Which/where ???

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Forgot to mention for the O Forte buffet resto - a la carte resto in CM. Post 1341

Starters included soup. The buffet for the mains included veggies (carrots, brocoli, runner beans 2 spuds). Bread, butter and fish spread etc included. Good to get some veg in - as it is something we often comment on (the lack of) when eating out in ESP/PT.

Best to go (IMO) with friends for a laugh, we bumped into some French friends by chance and they joined us at the table. Often better to eat with friends - but this kind of casual, buffet type of eating is really best shared.

There were also 2 cheeses a curado and a brie - so we had a cheese course before our fruit desert. I am more 'cheesy' than 'sweet' :) :) Surprise surprise :)

Jon

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MADE ME LAUGH !! You have such a brilliant sense of humour

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I have been to a new bar/tapas opposite Cardenio Theatre, called Meraki (the taste in Greek).
The place is really nice with a great atmosphere with a very nice and friendly staff. Their tapas are different from the usual in Ayamonte. I did not taste them yet, but some friends told me they are excellent.

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After lunching with fellow 'BE-Expaters' we were recommended to go to small village (nice drive) Corte António Martins, just beyond Monte Rei Golf.

http://restaurantebelavis.wixsite.com/belavista

The meat was excellent, BH had some of the best lamb chops she has had. Black pork is their speciality (but they have Baked Bacalhau and Tuna etc). No dish of the day so its a-la-carte. We were entertained the whole lunch by their wonderful parrot! Im sure it was me getting the wolf-whistles ;);)

On catching up with our friend, she told me that Bela Vista wasn't the resto she recommended, but there is another one in the small village/hamlet. With a big dancing next door and hall for music events. Amazing how this little village has more than CE!

I searched for it and stumbled on a resto site with all sorts of offers so here is the resto our friend recommended, and if you scroll down you will get many resto recommendations/offers

https://www.microsofttranslator.com/...da%2F387001%2F

If a box comes up, just click on the OK a couple of times, to release the page. On the top right you can go straight to the original Portuguese site. Note at the top you can search restos so heres what comes up with Altura (for example) https://lifecooler.com/artigos/lista...=&seccao=comer


Happy munchin' - and thanks for the recommendations ... you know who you are :thumbup:

Jon

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Wonderful tapas resto/bar aka 'the flowerpots'. (Though I think they are not there at the moment) Next to the car park by the ferries.

Jon

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La Paraita They were open in the week but the tent outside got damaged in the wimd last Sunday

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I mentionned a few days ago.
I have tried their tapas.... They are gorgeous!
I had king size prawns with guacamole sauce, potatoes with eggs cream and ham, and more... Highly recommended! For people who want to taste something different.

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Ate there last night. No way are they tapas, more like media raciones and priced as such. We had 3 delicious ones and soft drinks total 18 euros. Well worth a visit. High stools/tables are not my seat of choice but all they have. Will go back soon.

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We had lunch there earlier and have to say it was very nice. It was a bit more pricey than the normal but it was well worth the money and the service was great. Menu is quite limited but they have put the time and effort into every dish we tried. Good portions and a proper upper class twist to each dish. They even did some good veggie dishes to keep the missus happy, double bonus!! Definitely be back to try some other dishes!!

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Fu Cheng Buffet in VRSA becomes Buffet Sushicomes. New owners lovely staff, nice selection of sushi, Asiatic food, fresh fruit. Evening buffet 13.90 pp.
.

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Yes really posh food - but not at a crazy price. I would even argue that the food is a tad higher up the 'fine-eating-scale' than La Puerta Ancha. But not tapas IMO ..... but also good value for the quality/level. Attached a photo of a dish I ate - 2 large langoustines on a bed of spicy guacamole and home made sweet potato crisps..... BH had an excellent Bacalhao and our friend a wonderful filet of steak. Great service too from the charming server - also on the photo (my ugly mug removed!) :)

Jon
PS I heard that LPA have taken over the Hamburger stand on Coronation plaza to serve there quality food at a more take-away format. But it could be another of the rumours that fly around here!

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The LPA kiosk is at the opposite corner to the hamburger kiosk (which seems to have expanded with chairs and tables) . The LPA kiosk is Champagne and gin based cocktails. Looks quite popular.

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Keep up Jon, even we know about LPA Mini Bar "Atuna" and we don't live there any more. Looking forward to a cocktail there next month 🍹

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It opened Thursday night

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Tonight we tried Restaurante Brasería Monte Olimpo which is where the Argentinian (later the Italian) restaurant was on the hill just after the Parador but before Mercadona. The owner speaks good English. His name is Pepe and he worked for 7 years at Sonrisa. It was basically grilled meat or fish. A dish of grilled Mediterranean vegetables and a plate of chips was put on the table to share. I had rabbit, which was lovely, and friends had lamb and entrecote steak which were also good (although the steak was more medium to well done than rare to medium but still delicious). Mousse, chocolate cake and pastel de nata (all home made) to round off the meal. Would recommend and would go again.

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Great that you are coming back... and that even though far away, you are still up (and ahead) on all the news. Have a wonderful cocktail (or three)! :drinkingwine:

Also great to see that it has actually opened and a rumour has become reality, thanks Ken for the photos. Looks great and the menu looks good too. Things are looking up!

Jon

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LPA kiosk, champagne, gin and tuna :( nope nope and not keen at all :-( It looked like a good atmosphere when I passed on Friday night. All the best to Cli and Fabio.